Breton shortbread

Breton shortbread is a easy French recipe that serves 12. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by Once Upon a Time Pastry on YouTube.

Prep: 27 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 49 min

Cost: $3.65 total, $0.30 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 units Egg yolks (medium-sized eggs)
  • 150 g Granulated sugar (white granulated sugar)
  • 250 g Salted butter (at room temperature)
  • 300 g All-purpose flour (sift before use)
  • 1 tsp Baking powder (baking powder)
  • 2 pinches Fleur de sel (for a crunchy bite)

Instructions

  1. Mix egg yolks and sugar

    In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the granulated sugar until the mixture lightens and becomes slightly frothy.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Incorporate the salted butter

    Add the softened salted butter in small pieces and mix until fully incorporated.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Add flour and baking powder

    Sift the flour and baking powder, incorporate into the dough mixing until a homogeneous dough forms.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Sprinkle the fleur de sel

    Add two pinches of fleur de sel and mix very lightly.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Roll out the dough

    On a lightly floured work surface or between two sheets of parchment paper, roll the dough to about 5 mm thickness.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Cut the biscuits

    Use an 8 cm cookie cutter to cut the biscuits, place them on a perforated baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

    Time: PT5M

  7. Baking

    Place the sheet in a preheated oven at 180°C and bake for 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: 180°C

  8. Cool

    Remove the biscuits from the oven, let them cool for 5 minutes on the sheet then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
120
Protein
1 g
Carbohydrates
12 g
Fat
8 g
Fiber
0.2 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, low-carb, low-calorie, very-low-calorie, low-fat

Allergens: eggs, milk, gluten

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Instead of Egg yolks: whole eggs (use 2 whole eggs, remove the whites)
  • Instead of Granulated sugar: cane sugar
  • Instead of Salted butter: unsalted butter + 1% salt
  • Instead of All-purpose flour: whole wheat flour (reduce by 10%)
  • Instead of Baking powder: baking soda + cream of tartar (½ tsp + ¼ tsp)
  • Instead of Fleur de sel: sea salt

Equipment Needed

  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk or wooden spoon
  • Rolling pin
  • Parchment paper
  • 8 cm cookie cutter
  • Perforated baking sheet
  • Oven
  • Cooling rack (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

  • Use salted butter or add salt if using unsalted butter.
  • Do not roll the dough too thin (≈5 mm thickness).
  • Bake on a perforated sheet to prevent biscuit spreading.

Chef Tips from the Video

  • Lightly dust with powdered sugar before baking for an elegant finish.
  • Use Breton butter for an authentic flavor.

Troubleshooting

Biscuits spread too much during baking.

Check dough thickness (5 mm) and bake on a perforated sheet. Reduce temperature slightly to 170°C if needed.

Biscuits are too hard.

Do not overwork the dough and ensure the butter was at room temperature, not too cold.

Storage

Refrigerator: Up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Freezer: Up to 1 month, well wrapped in plastic film.

Room temperature: 2 to 3 days in a dry place.

Make-Ahead Tips

  • The dough can be kept in the refrigerator for 24 h before rolling out.
  • Baked biscuits keep well, you can make them ahead.

Last updated: September 6, 2026

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Breton shortbread

Recipe by Once Upon a Time Pastry

Traditional Breton biscuits, crumbly and buttery, easy to make by hand or with a mixer. Ideal for a snack or with coffee.

EasyFrenchServes 12

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Source Video
27m
Prep
17m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
54m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$3.65
Total cost
$0.30
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • • Use salted butter or add salt if using unsalted butter.
  • • Do not roll the dough too thin (≈5 mm thickness).
  • • Bake on a perforated sheet to prevent biscuit spreading.

Safety Warnings

  • • Handle the hot oven with care.
  • • Allow the trays to cool before touching.